Jeff Walz, half of the combo hoping to unseat James Sensenbrenner in Wisconsin’s Fifth Congressional District, dropped out the race, citing health and work responsibilities.
In a press release dated Dec. 28, the campaign noted,
Citing recent health problems and his desire to serve the best interests of his employer, Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., Walz noted in an open letter to supporters that he “simply cannot continue to make the serious commitment necessary to defeat Congressman Sensenbrenner or give the voters the campaign they deserve.”
Walz would not elaborate on the details of health concerns but noted that his decision to drop out was a “complex one that should not distract people from the importance of this cause.” Walz encouraged supporters to work for candidates who are willing to uphold the same cause.
Jim Burkee, the other half, in a press release also dated Dec. 28, promised to continue the campaign against Sensenbrenner.
Despite the sudden departure of co-candidate Democrat Jeff Walz from his joint congressional campaign with Republican Jim Burkee, Burkee has announced that he will continue his campaign to unseat 15-term Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., citing the importance of returning fiscal responsibility and moral leadership to Washington.
In a paragraph that sounded a little negative, Burkee went on to say,
“Republicans are tired of leaders who can’t and won’t stand up for conservatism, and we have a new generation of Americans that want to grow up with the same opportunities as their grandparents, but worry about fiscal irresponsibility of politicians who simply don’t care,” said Burkee. “We need this campaign.”
Walz, too, engaged in some negative campaigning in bowing out,
We live in a great country that is being hijacked by irresponsibility and opportunists, people who know what’s right but instead do what’s politically expedient.
In a separate statement on Walz’s withdrawal, Burkee pointed out,
I was disappointed to hear that Jeff would drop out. Jeff’s withdrawal is a loss for the district during this campaign season.
The loss of Walz robs the campaign of that novel aspect of two friends running for an office together. This was what caught the media’s attention the last four months. Burkee by himself becomes much less newsworthy.
One thing caught my eye at the end of Burkee’s statement,
Over the next several months, I will work hard to win the support of not just conservatives who are disheartened by big government leadership, but also the many moderates and even Democrats who are looking for change and want a viable alternative to Congressman Sensenbrenner. And I ask for your prayers and support as I continue a campaign for moral leadership and fiscal responsibility in Washington.
It sounds like his focus will be on disgruntled Republicans, moderates and Democrats. No Democrat has yet announced for the seat.
The new campaign site is JimBurkee.com. The old website now simply points to Jeff Walz’s withdrawal.
UPDATE: More coverage can be found at Pundit Nation, Sensenbrenner Watch and the Journal Sentinel’s All Politics Watch.
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